The Youngest Besties :)

YaYa's New Jacket!

Enjoying a fish fry at Fritz's with Lisa and YaYa

The Premiere of Late Night and The Awful Truth

 Last night we watched the premier of The Voice (great as usual) and 'Late Night with Seth Meyers'. I found the latter stale and predictable, and sometimes just plain awkward to watch. The only bit that seemed fresh and enjoyable was his anecdote about (failing to) change a tire, and if he's to succeed I think that's where he has to put his emphasis, on 'everyman'/'familyman' comedy. Just MHO.

We also watched "The Awful Truth", the GREAT 1937 screwball comedy starring Cary Grant and Irene Dunne. LOL - and risque - even seventy seven years later. For the record Irene Dunne, in my vernacular, "crumples me". That face, that body, the voice; hell, even her faith (Catholic) her fidelity (married only once, and for life) and her politics (Republican). What an absolute Eleven on a scale of 1 to 10.

50 Years On

Today marks a half century to the day since Cassius Clay - later to be known as Muhammad Ali - upset Sonny Liston to take the Heavyweight Championship of the World.

The Snake Pit and some TV

Lisa and I woke up at 2:30 a.m, watched the premiere of "Amazing Race: All-Stars", the finale of season one of "90 Day Fiance", part of "The Snake Pit" starring the great Olivia De Havilland, and then retired to bed. Unfortunately, I couldn't fall back asleep and got up to putter around, sooooooo now, as I need to start my day, I'm exhausted. Ain't that life.

update:

We finished watching The Snake Pit this morning. I saw it years ago on AMC, back when they actually played classic movies, and loved it. A second viewing, this time on TMC, didn't change my mind. A serious, unblemished look at mental illness - and in 1948! - and a great movie. Well worth watching.

Harold Ramis

 RIP writer, director and Ghostbuster Harold Ramis, age 69

Maria Von Trapp

 RIP Maria Von Trapp, last survivor of the siblings made famous in "The Sound of Music", age 99.

Today is the 19th anniversary of the day Lisa and I met. Since she had just turned 18 at the time it means that she has now officially known me for more than half of her life. Weird. it seems like yesterday. anyway I'm glad I met you baby. Happy anniversary!

A New Microwave

Check engine light is on, microwave just literally began to burst into flames...ah, the familiar comforts of home lol - from a text i wrote this morning. While the engine light is still on, the day HAS improved

Used funds earmarked for other things to pick out a new microwave, a 2.2 cubic foot behemoth that with luck will serve this family well into the future. With the leftovers we put a downpayment down on Smiley's party and then treated him to a chili dog. So, all in all a productive day. Unexpectedly costly, but productive.

 With Lisa and Smiley at Fritz's Pub

The Tonight Show

We retired early last night, but not before watching the premiere of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. I liked it - the classic set, the fact that it's back in NYC where it belongs, and Fallon's humble performance. (how great was it that his parents were in the audience?). I could've done with a different set of first guests (Wil Smith and U2) but surprisingly, U2 was a funny, entertaining interview. I'm not saying I'll tune in regularly, as talk shows aren't my thing, but good on you Jimmy.

Stuck

Lisa and the kids got the van stuck in a snowbank this afternoon, and I had to walk to their location and help dig it out. Officially, and sadly, my first workout of 2014 Lol

Our Day

I had plans for today - not 'big' plans, but plans involving some travel - but aside from getting LuLu to the dentist at Marquette and a brief grocery run, all plans are nixed.

Too much snow, too much wind. I thought the driving conditions were fine, absent the intervention of any inexperienced driver, but it's not worth risking a half hour trip. Plus our wind tunnel of an alley has 10-12 inches of snow and growing.

Quoting the JSOnline FB page: "As of 7 p.m. Monday, Milwaukee had recorded 51.1 inches of snowfall since Dec. 1, about 20 inches more than the normal for the period."

Kudos to Smiley and YaYa for shoveling the alley and back, albeit just short of at gunpoint.

OH, and lest I forget, I want to thank our "diligent" city workers who - looooooong before the snow began, picked up our garbage and proceeded to leave garbage cans scattered up and down the length of our alley. We had to send scouting parties ahead to clear the path in front of us. My property taxes thank you for your effort.

Pork chops for dinner, followed by a nap, then an evening of watching bobsledding and ice dancing (congrats to all our medalists!). Not exactly an energetic, gung-ho night, but whatever, it's still early . . .

A Movie Marathon For Team Slap

It was classic movie day here at Team Slap. First, The Amityville Horror (although it was the boring Ryan Reynolds version), then Old School, Dirty Dancing, and finally YaYa and I sat down to watch The Exorcist. She found it slow and not very scary, which leads me to question her taste and sanity, but what can you do?

Andipose

These adorable Adipose - a creature from Doctor Who - were crocheted for me out of the blue by a supervisor at work. Thanks Cathie!

He's Gonna Be a Champion. Mark My Words.

Wanna see a future welterweight champion as he claws his way to the top? Go YouTube 2012 Olympian Errol Spence Jr. He is a joy to watch.

Smiley's Valentines Day Poem

This is a poem Smiley wrote and included in a Valentine's Day card:

"Roses are red, bees make honey, give me a kiss and I'll give you all my money!"

Sounds like he's ready for marriage already.

Ralph Waites

 RIP Ralph Waites, aka Papa Walton, dead at 85

John James McGinty

A belated RIP to Vietnam War hero and Medal of Honor recipient John James McGinty, who died of cancer at age 73 January 17th.

Sid Caesar

RIP the great Sid Caesar, TV comedy pioneer, dead at age 91

Shirley Temple

The great child star turned diplomat Shirley Temple Black died yesterday at the age of 85. RIP

Sweet Lu

 

WTH

 In other news, at around 3:45 we were driving down Oklahoma Ave when a postal vehicle refused to let Lisa change lanes for nearly a block, speeding up and slowing down to keep alongside us. This fine Federal employee then flipped us the bird and soared through a yellow light. My tax money at work. Postal Vehicle # 1260902

A School Dance and "You're Next"

Lisa and the three youngest are at a school dance for grades K-5, while YaYa and I are home watching the great horror film "You're Next" (my second viewing). From what Lisa just texted, the kids just danced the heck out of "What Does the Fox Say?"

Ralph Kiner

RIP baseball great Ralph Kiner, age 91

Phillip Seymour Hoffmandf

 RIP to the great Phillip Seymour Hoffman, dead at 46 of an apparent heroin overdose. A wonderful talent gone too soon.

update: You know what just occurred to me? With Hoffman dead, how will this impact the finale of The Hunger Games?

To My Kids

 

We Honor Them Still

Raise your glass to the memory of  JP "Big Bopper" Richardson, Roger Peterson, Ritchie Valens, and the *great* Buddy Holly, all gone 55 years today.  RIP

Puzzles the Reading Dog

This is my second visit to Puzzles, the reading dog. Smiley enjoyed it very much. This dog is so gentle and sweet. - Grandma Jeanne

Pete Seeger

RlP folk singer and songwriter Pete Seeger, who died yesterday. 

A prolific songwriter, his best-known songs include "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" (with additional lyrics by Joe Hickerson), "If I Had a Hammer (The Hammer Song)" (with Lee Hays of the Weavers), "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine" (also with Hays), and "Turn! Turn! Turn!", which have been recorded by many artists both in and outside the folk revival movement. "Flowers" was a hit recording for the Kingston Trio (1962); Marlene Dietrich, who recorded it in English, German and French (1962); and Johnny Rivers (1965). "If I Had a Hammer" was a hit for Peter, Paul and Mary (1962) and Trini Lopez (1963) while the Byrds had a number one hit with "Turn! Turn! Turn!" in 1965.

 No water because a water main is being repaired on our street. Joy

A Suggestion from a Friend

So if Gov. Walker runs for President, which I'd love to see, why don't you try get a position with his campaign?  - Fred Bryan 

Justin Bieber News

Breaking News: Justin Bieber was arrested today for an alleged DUI and drag racing.

Captain and Tennille are getting a divorce

 I'm sad that the Captain and Tennille are getting a divorce after 39 years. I remember them from my early childhood, and it just feels wrong. I know the Captain is suffering from a Parkinson's-like disease, and I wonder if the divorce is a financial move to fund his care.

LOL

Auto correct humor:.....true story! I just texted my good friend JJ and intended to write "hey want to go to Marquette with us and then get lunch?"....and auto correct wrote "want to go to make out with us and then get lunch?". Of course I didn't notice til i hit send. Good thing she didn't write back "hell ya!"  before I texted to correct myself.  I mean we are a nice looking couple, lol. Oh that was a good laugh!!! Anyone have any auto correct stories?  I challenge you to top this one! - Lisa

A New Cast

LuLu's new knee length cast

A Great Proverb

“If there is no wind, row.” ~ Latin proverb

Angel Wants to Help with Dishes

 

Russell Johnson and Dave Madden

 RIP 'Gilligan's Island' Professor Russell Johnson, age 89, and Dave Madden of 'The Partridge Family', who I knew as a regular on 'Alice', age 82.

Real Chili

 Real Chili, last week

Looks good enough to eat

 

LOL

When she texts from her tablet wisenheimer LuLu uses the following signature line: "OJ (not the killer)"

Our Evening

It was a pseudo-Olive Garden night here. Homemade pasta fagioli and zuppa toscana with a big salad and breadsticks, followed by the season premiere of American Idol.

Dallas Buyers Club

If you have a chance, *please* see "Dallas Buyer's Club". Matthew McConaughey - who shed 40 pounds for the role - plays Ron Woodroof, a real-life, homophobic electrician who was diagnosed with HIV in 1985 and went on to become an advocate for AIDS patients, smuggling non-FDA approved medicine into Texas until his death of the disease in 1992. It is a powerful, emotional film, and Matthew McConaughey is superb. I can't give it enough praise.

Old School LuLu

Old school LuLu in a girl scout t-shirt and pigtails. 

I LOOOOVVE This

Lisa hung up this sign in the bathroom in honor of Junie's precious mispronunciation of it as "bat-room." I hope she never stops saying it that way :)

Fingers Crossed

Glad to read that a baseball strike is almost a near-certainty in 2016, given the behind-the-scenes reaction to Selig and his goons within the player's union. It won't be *about* A-Rod, but he'll be the straw that broke the camel's back. Here's hoping the entire 2016 season is wiped and that it serves as a fitting bookend to Selig's reign of terror.

I'm Furious

A-Rod has been suspended for the entire 2014 season. I'm done with MLB for the year, if not longer. They won't get one dime from me.

Yakutat on TV

Lisa and I are watching "Hotel Impossible", and lo and behold they are visiting Yakutat, Alaska, home of my good friend Fred Bryan. FANTASTIC scenery, but the lodge/restaurant they are revisiting (having helped it get on its feet a year ago) is . . . .uh . . . yeahhhh. I'I don't think we'll be staying there on any visit to the 49th state.

EDIT: actually, by the end of the show the housekeeping and customer service issues were addressed (again), I think successfully, and it looks like a decent place